Regulation of protein phosphorylation by phytochrome in Sorghum bicolor

Abstract

In vitro phosphorylation of some polypeptides was affected in extracts obtained from 5-and 6-day-old plants irradiated with 5 min of red light. The phosphorylation of 55 kDa polypeptide in both 5- and 6-day-old plants, a 60 kDa, and 76 kDa polypeptide in 6-day-old plants and 70 kDa, 67 kDa polypeptide in 5-day-old plants was stimulated by red light. This effect was reversible by far-red light. The extent of stimulation by red light and reversal by far-red light varied for different polypeptides. No differential effect of red and far-red light was seen on the phosphorylation of 94 and 40 kDa polypeptides. In fact, phosphorylation of 94 kDa polypeptide in 6-day-old plants decreased on red light irradiation. These results show that the phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of some proteins is affected by phytochrome and the effect of light is also dependent on the age of the plant.